NCJ Number
225108
Date Published
October 2008
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Standards and guidelines are presented in the evaluation and measurement of serviceable detector dogs in the areas of aptitude and temperament and physical and medical condition.
Abstract
Guidelines and standards, formalized under the Scientific Working Group on dogs and orthogonal detection guidelines (SWGDOG), are presented in the areas of aptitude and temperament and physical and medical histories in the evaluation and assessment process of a dog’s suitability as a detector dog. Within the area of aptitude and temperament, standards and guidelines outlined in evaluation and assessment measures include: evaluating potential detector dogs; definition; temperament standards; evaluation methods; environmental soundness evaluation; search-and-retrieve/food-drive evaluation; sociability evaluation; tracking evaluation; desirable evaluation outcomes; undesirable evaluation outcomes; and evaluation structure and method. Within the area of physical and medical histories, standards and guidelines include: physical evaluation; breed, sex, weight, and height requirements; and medical requirements (including a complete physical examination).